NC State football report card: Syracuse

By Ethan McDowell

NC State football’s season continued to unravel Saturday night as the Pack fumbled twice, tossed an interception and gave up 31 completions during a 24-17 loss to Syracuse. The Wolfpack fell to 0-3 in the ACC and 3-4 overall.

For the second consecutive game, CJ Bailey racked up a career high in passing yards. The freshman quarterback completed 17 of 24 passes for 329 yards as the Pack rushed for only 82 yards against the Orange.

Defensively, the Pack gave up 346 passing yards but also recorded 8 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks as the unit tried to slow down Syracuse’s explosive passing offense. NC State sits below .500 for the first time since 2019. With 5 games to play, the Pack needs to finish the year 3-2 or better to achieve bowl eligibility.

Here is TheWolfpacker.com’s report card for NC State’s loss to Syracuse that capped a three-game home stand.

NC State offense grade

Grade — C-

NC State’s offensive performance Saturday night was the equivalent of posting passing grades for an entire semester just to tank the final exam. The Pack finished all but one of its drives in Syracuse territory. Three turnovers and a missed field goal made the difference in this game.

Bailey continued to take steps forward as the freshman gets acclimated to college football. He said the game slowed down for him vs. Syracuse, and the first-year signal-caller completed 17 of 24 passes for 2 touchdowns and an interception. He also led the team in carries (7) and rushing yards (28). Bailey extended plays extremely well, gave his receivers time to create separation and connected with 8 different pass catchers.

The Wolfpack generated six passing plays of 15 yards or more. Bailey found redshirt freshman receiver Noah Rogers and redshirt freshman running back Hollywood Smothers for a pair of passes that gained 147 yards combined. NC State’s talented underclassmen continued to show off their potential Saturday night.

Rogers led the Wolfpack in receptions (4), targets (7) and receiving yards (95). His 75-yard touchdown was the first score of his career. Bailey targeted sophomore KC Concepcion 4 times for 2 receptions that included a 42-yard catch. Junior tight end Justin Joly finished the game with 2 targets. He hauled in both passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.

NC State never led in this game and played from behind after the 8:13 mark of the first quarter. The Pack ran the ball 21 times for 82 yards, failing to establish much of a rushing attack. With that said, a total of 411 yards, an average of 9.1 yards per play and 3 tackles for loss all signal improvements on that side of the ball.

This might have been NC State’s best offensive performance of the season until it was time to finish drives. The Pack ended possessions at the Syracuse 17, 24, 27 and 28 without points. NC State took a step in the right direction, but that does not really matter without the points to show for it.

Defense grade

Grade — C

NC State held Syracuse well below its scoring average because possessions were limited in this game. The Orange scored 4 times on 9 drives, racking up 424 total yards and 25 first downs. All 3 touchdowns came off Pack turnovers.

Syracuse ran 76 plays inside Carter-Finley Stadium — 31 more than the Wolfpack. The visitors won the time-of-possession battle by nearly 14 minutes. Despite 10 quarterback hurries and consistent disruption in the backfield, NC State struggled to force the Orange off the field.

On 10 third-down attempts in the first half, six ended in first downs. The Orange finished 8 of 15. Syracuse converted 1-of-3 fourth-down tries. NC State stuffed the opposing rushing attack at 2.4 yards per carry, but the visiting squad still gained an average of 5.9 yards on first down. Syracuse’s average distance to gain on third down was 6.5. Six of 9 total drives lasted for eight or more plays. The Orange opened the game with a 16-play possession that took 6:47 off the game clock.

Senior safety DK Kaufman racked up 11 total tackles to lead the team, graduate linebacker Devon Betty added 10 and redshirt junior defensive end Travali Price recorded 1.5 sacks against the Orange. NC State pressured McCord consistently but never appeared to rattle him.

With redshirt junior linebacker Caden Fordham out for this game, redshirt freshman Kamal Bonner slotted into the starting lineup and recorded 9 total tackles, including 1 for loss. Graduate cornerback Aydan White also made 9 total stops. NC State did not force a turnover Saturday night.

The Wolfpack gave up 8 passing plays of 15 yards or more but nothing beyond 30. NC State managed to bend but not break for most of this game and, if the offense had taken better care of the ball, that likely would have been enough to win this game.

Special teams grade

Grade— C+

Redshirt junior Caden Noonkester punted once for 39 yards. For the seventh consecutive game, graduate Collin Smith did not allow a kickoff return. Redshirt sophomore Kanoah Vinesett missed a 41-yard field goal on the Pack’s first possession but followed that up with a make from 29 yards out late in the contest. Kaufman also returned one kickoff 32 yards.